Top Winter Hikes in Leadville That Will Take Your Breath Away
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Exploring the Best Winter Trails For Snowshoeing Near Leadville, Colorado
Known for hosting some of the hardest biking and running races in North America, Leadville, Colorado is a summer destination for the elite athlete and wanna be belt buckle wearer.
But Colorado winter hikes in Leadville?
Yep! Summer biking trails make THE BEST snowshoe trails in Colorado.
Originally known as the Oro City (Spanish for Gold), Leadville has been labeled many things. Situated at 10,152 feet elevation, the air is thin and the mountain views stunning. Nearby, Colorado’s tallest fourteeners, Mts Elbert and Massive, loom over Twin Lakes, the state’s two largest glacier lakes. A 500 mile stretch of the Colorado Trail is nearby (Twin Lakes), a solid winter hike for the ambitious and prepared trekker.
Mountain views from Leadville, Colorado
About a two and half hour drive from Colorado Springs, we wanted to tackle some of the best winter hikes in Colorado. This “Icebox of America'“ town is known for 100 miles of well groomed cross country ski trails and stunning snowshoe trails.
24 years and counting - snowshoe adventure in Leadville, Colorado
Each year, we try to schedule a couple's only snowshoe trip. Married in January (in Florida) our anniversary rounds the corner after the hoopla of holidays.
Ready for simple food and tight on budget, snowshoe getaways are the perfect way to celebrate.
Some of the best Colorado trails should be hiked in the winter. With less people around, exploring these popular trails is downright enjoyable (especially for this introvert!)
take a weekend of Fun on Leadville’s snowshoeing trails in Colorado.
*Below is our two night trip planner experiencing some of the best winter hikes in Colorado and amazing food to match!
Armed with good map and weather apps, multiple snow layers and snowshoes, follow this 3 day adventure guide. The weekend we chose just happened to be the coldest the town had seen in several years. It certainly lived up to moniker “Icebox of America.”
Table of Contents
Famous Leadville Hops
Snowshoe Basics
What to Wear
What to Bring
Weather and Snow Conditions
Day 1: Coffee Spot/snowshoe Timberline Trails
Day 2: Breakfast/Mineral Belt Trail
Favorite eating Spots
Where to Stay in Leadville
Come along on a weekend trip to Leadville enjoying Colorado winter hiking to the max!
First Stop - Leadville Outdoors and Mountain Market
Extra gear for Colorado winter hiking isn’t always something you arrive into town carrying. If you’re wondering what winters are like in Leadville, plan on cold. Leadville's weather swings from chilly winters to mild summers, almost like a cold semi-arid climate. In January, temperatures average around 31.1 °F to a chilly 3.1 °F, while July offers a warmer range of 72.2 °F to 37.8 °F.
Leadville Outdoors and Mountain Market have everything you need for a winter hike!
NEXT UP - Melanzana Outdoor Clothing
This local iconic Colorado only store is by appointment only. These Polartec fleece layers and hats are quintessential Colorado gear.
PRO NOTE! If you are a last minute shopper like us, stay on their website. Someone always seems to bail on their appointment. While you’re there, pick up a beanie. It is probably the single most favorite hat I’ve purchased in years. Warm enough for winter hikes and perfect for summer fourteener hiking.
Pop into Get Outdoor Gear Library.
Located by Colorado Mountain College, this unique outdoor gear rental store. Annual memberships start at $90/year, giving residents access to essential hiking gear and snowsport equipment. In a nutshell, “check out” the items, returning them as you would a book at the local library. It’s for local residents unable to purchase gear. A super cool concept that more towns should adopt!
Back on main street, head to Community Threads for a quick look. The weekend we stopped in the store, I found a brand new (with tags) Athleta long down coat for $25. SCORE! (Address: 609 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461)
Outfitted with last minute must have purchases, it’s time to tackle some of the best winter hikes in Colorado.
Geared up for Colorado winter hikes in Leadville, CO
First Though - Let’s Talk Colorado Winter Hikes Details
What to Wear On Snowshoe Trails in Colorado
Colorado winter hiking is its own beast. Temperatures fluctuate, storms ebb and flow and trail conditions can be hit or miss. Check out our tried and true 10 tips for winter hiking.
In a nutshell, be prepared with the 5 C’s and bring layers, lots and lots of layers.
This is what we current wear on Colorado winter hikes:
thick Kuhl leggings
tank top
wool beanie
wool socks
Salomon gore tex hiking shoes, low top
Layers are key. When the sun comes out on an uphill portion snowshoeing trails in Colorado, expect to get hot quick.
New to Colorado winter hikes? Check out our tried and true Colorado Hiker’s Capsule Wardrobe Checklist. Cultivated over years of wins and spectacular fails, we take all the guesswork out of what to wear all seasons of hiking Colorado. Click below for your FREE checklist.
REI’s MSR Snowshoes are easy to use and great for all winter hiking!
What to Bring Snowshoeing
Snowshoes *Rent or buy, snowshoers choice. Tanya has a pair of Costco snowshoes that work amazing. If this is your first spin Colorado winter hiking, consider renting. NOTE: REI has a fantastic rental program with discounts for lifetime members. Great gear for low cost is a heck of a good deal!
Winter boots or hiking boots *snowshoes can attach to almost any footwear. Waterproof and well insulated footwear bodes well for a fun and dry adventure.
Trekking poles *summer trekking poles work great. Add a basket (the little round piece at the bottom of your trekking poles) to help with post holing. Black Diamond makes lightweight trekking poles for multi weather use. Bonus: They fold up and are easily attachable to your daypack.
Daypack with snacks, water reservoir, first aid kit, and the 5 C’s including an emergency blanket
Check out Osprey’s Packfinder tool for the any time, any season hiking gear just right for you! Take this short online quiz and be matched, lickety split, with a fully lifetime warranty daypack. Great company, greater bang for your buck!
We are HUGE fans of Osprey’s 24L Sirrus daypack. Lots of room for those winter layers and fuel but light enough for hours winter hiking treks.
How to Get to Leadville
Leadville is 127 miles from Colorado Springs. Heading on US 24 W, stay on the highway until 285 S. Maps are wonderful tools for directions. Follow the directions and you’ll be soon driving on main road, right through Leadville.
Average Temperatures in the Winter
Leadville winter hikes are chilly. Average temperatures hover around freezing (32°F December - March). Daylight is also at a premium, sunrise around 7 am with the sun setting no later than 5pm. The best chance for fresh powder is March and April.
Colorado winter hiking via snowshoes on Timberline Trails
Day 1 - Coffee Shop Working and Trail Exploring
Coffee Shop Stop #1: city on the Hill
Homemade soup and bread at City on the Hill
In you’re in search of hot soup, WIFI and a place to hang for a few hours, City on the Hill checks all the boxes. Freshly made soup and homemade bread is the perfect lunch to fuel before wrapping up work projects.
With several tables to sit, you’re bound to find one open.
Chai and lattes are excellent, as are their baked cookies. (Made daily, the baked goods are outstanding!) We loved the local scene, spotting moms pop in with their snowsuited kiddos for a coffee and cookie.
A great vibe and super welcoming, the tone is the perfect set up for a great weekend! Bonus points for strong WIFI signals and tables big enough for food and a computer.
Colorado Winter Hiking #1: Timberline Trails at Colorado Mountain College
Colorado winter hiking requires a lot of map checking
Before the sunsets, make time to find a winter hike Colorado style; ie, jeans and gaiters. Leadville regularly grooms their trails (check grooming report here). Mineral Belt Trail is the perfect moderate hike to start off your weekend.
Explore for an hour or so at the Timberline Trails. You’ll find parking at Colorado Mountain College. There are 10 routes to choose ranging from less than a mile to over 17 miles. Eager to get out and soak in some fresh COLD winter air, consider following the disc golf course vs a specific grouping of trails.
PRO TIP! Download the trail map via a reliable map app (we used COTREX). Also take a picture of the route just in case you get lost.
Directions: Colorado Mountain College (CMC) is on the south end of Leadville on Highway 24.
One of the best winter hikes in Colorado for beginners (near Leadville)
If you’re starting a bit later in the day, following the disc golf course route is perfect. We logged about 5 relatively flat miles. It was still plenty of work on snowshoes! Colorado winter hiking, especially at high elevations like Leadville, require gaiters and patience.
With so many pine trees and fresh powder, the trails were not marked. Had we spent a bit more time looking at the map, I’m sure the route would have been closer to 4 miles. These trails are mountain bike trails in the summer.
On our weekend of snowshoeing, as we headed back to our car, a group of high school students sailed by us on cross country skis. This was their after school sport. Man, I wish I’d grown up in Leadville. How cool!
Consider a few of the better marked bike trails.
Here’s 3 snowshoeing trails Colorado Mountain College offers:
Back 9: Out and back route. 2 miles. Downhill to begin with a slight uphill at the end.
Candyland: Just over 1 mile. Loop route with up and down portions throughout the trail.
Wheelers Way Loop: 4 miles. Out and back route with a fun little loop in the middle.
Trail Highlights:
Wide openings in trees for trails
Groomed cross country ski trails nearby
Tall pine trees which helped keep the wind down
Decent trail signs (if you look)
Timberline Trails is one of the best winter hikes in Colorado (Leadville) for beginners. The elevation is moderate. This can be a loop or out and back trail, giving you full control over how much mileage to conquer.
RELATED LINK:
This area is known for snowshoeing AND cross country skiing. With regularly groomed trails, consider trying out cross country skiing. Tanya headed here with a group of friends, enjoying a new adventure, taking cross country skiing for beginners to a whole new level!
Coffee Shop Stop #2: Silver Llama
Colorado winter hikes burn a lot of calories. This one was no exception. You’ll be cold and tired so consider getting dinner to go at Silver Llama. My Italian husband loved the eggplant parmesan. As a meat free eater, I ordered the veggie meatballs. We had plenty of food (and tons of leftovers) for a night in our VRBO.
One of many historical signs snowshoeing Colorado trails
Day 2: Mineral Belt Trail
The weekend we visited Leadville, the weather predicted storms all day. Make sure to always check current radar and weather maps before heading out on Colorado winer hiking trails. Undeterred, we set out in sub zero temperatures, bundled and ready to conquer Mineral Belt Trail.
Mileage: 11.6 miles Route: Loop Elevation Gain: Starts 9,900’ to 10,600’
Mineral Belt Trail - the route we went
Directions to Trailhead
As this trail loops around Leadville, you can pick up the trail in several spots. We followed the directions from AllTrails and parked alongside the road just off Elm Street.
Trail Details
You can start in either direction. We chose clockwise simply because we saw that trail first. It was snowing the entire day we snowshoed. The trail, for the most part, is quite wide and well marked. We never got lost.
It literally took a village to build this trail! A large community came together in 1994, creating the 11 mile route around Leadville, Colorado. Through a carefully coordinated effort, this winter hike Colorado trail includes portions of three railroad lines which were part of Leadville’s Mining District.
All along the route, historical signs and markers share bits of the area’s history, Had it been a little less cold, we’d had spent far more time reading!
Note! The entire 11.6 mile, 750’ elevation gain trail is ADA friendly.
Trail highlights:
Crossing a very large bridge over railroad lines. Super cool views (we think - it was really snowing!)
Posted signs sharing interesting stories of people who lived and worked in this area
Well marked WIDE trail with obvious trail markers
A great mix of trees and open spaces throughout the 11 miles
We can’t wait to come back and do this loop in the summer. Locals share it’s a highly popular biking trail.
Parking is accessible along the road or at one of three lots.
PRO NOTE ! Check out the wonderful detailed website devoted to the Mineral Belt Trail. It has maps, trail rules and history.
We were TOAST after this Colorado winter hike. The temperature never rose above 15 degrees.
Nearby Snowshoe Trails We Can’t Wait To Try!
Turquoise Lake:
This is a 14 mile loop multi use trail. Motorized winter recreation (serious words for “snow machines” are allowed on this trail). Probably best explored during the week. The elevation map is fairly consistent with lake side walking. Hills are not an issue with this. Sounds like perfect snowshoe trails in Colorado!
East Side Mining District:
Two loop trails - Evansville and Stumptown - are groomed county roads. Evansville is right around 4 miles while Stumptown is slightly less at 3 1/2 miles. Both trails have mountain views and are multi use.
Mt. Massive Golf Course Ski and Snowshoe Trails:
These 17 km of free Colorado winter hikes(kind of - they suggest a $10 donation) are in the golf course. These trails boast views of fourteeners, Mt. Elbert and Mt Massive. The sky’s the limit on this trail system. Decide to do out and back routes or stick to flat loops. Bonus? Grab a post hike drink at the clubhouse.
Before & After Cocktail Bar in Leadville, Colorado
Dinner Time in Downtown Leadville
Grab a custom made cocktail at Before/After
There aren’t a lot of options open in winter in Leadville. However, the restaurants that are open are amazing! Consider these options - we tried them all and loved each one!
Before & After - Cocktail Bar
Open Wednesday-Saturday from 3pm-10 pm
612 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461
Walk inside and immediately feel at home, snagging a nearby table or sitting on a swing. Custom crafted cocktails with brilliant flavors make this the perfect pre dinner stop!
Weekdays find plenty of spots to sit and rest. Bring a deck of cards, make yourself comfy and enjoy an hour of post Colorado winter hike rest. You deserve it!
Almost directly across the street is dinner!
Treeline Restaurant - Dinner at Local Owned
Open Wednesday-Saturday (Happy Hour: 3:30pm-5:30pm)
Off season menu meals available
615 Harrison Avenue, Leadville, CO 80461
Family owned and operated, Treeline opened in 2017. It’s a whole family affair with husband and wife owners running the restaurant with their three kids pitching in.
A favorite hobby of ours is ordering our server’s favorite meal in the restaurant. The meal we had that night did not disappoint. Choosing to sample several items on the menu, each dish was better than the first!
The menu rotates depending on season. Head in with an open mind, big appetite and try it all!
PRO TIP! On the trail or at the local coffee shop, ask your server their favorite trail to explore and place to eat. We often get the best recommendations from locals!
Local Hops We Can’t Wait To Try
Next time we’re in Leadville, there are a few more places locals told us are MUST STOPS!
Tennessee Pass Cookhouse
(259 County Road 29, Leadville, Colorado 80461) Stellar sandwiches, crispy french fries and vegetarian options
Casa Sanchez
(422 Harrison Ave, Leadville, Colorado 80461) New Mexican food so think tacos with a twist. Special Colorado sauce makes this local eatery high on our list to visit.
Buchi Cafe Cubano
(401 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461) Yep! Cuban food high in the mountains of Colorado! Authentic Cafe Con Leche (coffee with condensed milk) and cuban sandwiches sounds divine!
Where to Stay in Leadville, Colorado
Staying in a vacation rental feels like home away from home. Whether it’s a small studio apartment downtown or a home with a hot tub, you can vacation your way without missing a beat. Choose a downtown location within walking distance of shopping and restaurants. Or head outside town, drinking in the mountain views and acres of land to explore.
This adorable tiny house would be perfect for a cozy winter weekend away! Minutes from the Leadville 100 start line, stay in this quaint 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom colorful and charming Victorian.
We can’t wait to get back to Leadville and try a few more Colorado winter hikes. With more coffee to drink, places to eat and trails to explore, this Colorado mountain town is a new favorite CoHH destination!